Fast-food CEO urges people to vote for Trump, calling him the 'ultimate unifier'

The CEO of the parent company of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's is
pushing for a Donald Trump presidency.

Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, published an
article titled
"Why Trump" in Real Clear Politics on Monday, presenting
a case for the election of Donald Trump.

Puzder frames Trump as a "pragmatic centrist" and
"negotiator." The CEO argues that the presidential
candidate is an outsider, with the ability to challenge what
Puzder calls the "incestuous Washington
establishment."

"Trump also may turn out to be the ultimate unifier — and
the best hope for refocusing bipartisan attention on poor
minorities," writes Puzder, due to
Trump's plans to boost economic
growth.

Donald
Trump.REUTERS/Carlo
Allegri

Puzder has established himself as a strong Trump supporter
over the course of the election, donating
thousands of dollars towards the campaign and serving as one
of the candidate's economic advisors.

The bond between Puzder and Trump is, in many ways, a
natural one based on the fast-food chain CEO's established
political leanings. Puzder is a vocal opponent of
raising minimum wages and the Affordable Care Act,
arguing the policies ultimately result in lower employment
rates.

Criticism of Trump's language that objectifies women,
as in the vulgar leaked
"locker room banter" tape, provides another unlikely
connection between the two businessmen. Carl's Jr. has long
been criticized for its racy ads starring scantily clad women —
something that Puzder says has only helped business, especially
the chain's appeal with "hungry, young guys."

"I like our ads. I like beautiful women eating burgers in
bikinis. I think it's very American," Puzder told
Entrepreneur in 2015. "I used to hear, brands take on the
personality of the CEO. And I rarely thought that was true, but I
think this one, in this case, it kind of did take on my
personality."